Francisco Xerez facts for kids
Francisco Xerez (also known as Francisco de Jerez) was a Spanish explorer and historian who lived from about 1495 to 1565. He was the personal secretary to Francisco Pizarro, a famous Spanish conqueror. Xerez played a part in the Spanish conquest of Peru. He joined Pizarro on his first two trips to Peru, which were not successful at first.
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Early Life and First Journeys
Francisco Xerez was born in Seville, Spain. In 1514, he traveled to the New World (the Americas) as part of an expedition led by Pedrarias Dávila. They landed in a city called Santa María la Antigua del Darién in Panama.
For the next ten years, Xerez stayed in a region known as Castilla de Oro. He explored the Isthmus of Panama with other famous explorers like Vasco Nuñez de Balboa. Xerez was also one of the first Spanish settlers in Acla, Panama. There, he worked as a clerk for the local Spanish leaders.
Joining the Inca Conquest
Between 1528 and 1530, Xerez lived in Natá, Panama, still working as a clerk. In 1530, Francisco Pizarro returned from a meeting with King Charles V of Spain. Xerez decided to join Pizarro and his group on their journey to conquer the powerful Inca Empire.
Secretary and Historian
After the important Battle of Cajamarca in 1532, Francisco Pizarro chose Xerez to be his personal secretary. Xerez received a large amount of gold from the Inca Emperor Atahualpa, who had paid it as a ransom.
During this time, Xerez wrote down everything that happened. He described the events leading up to the Spanish conquest and Pizarro's first meeting with Atahualpa in Cajamarca. While writing, Xerez broke his leg. Because of his injury, he returned to Seville, Spain. His detailed writings about the conquest of Peru were published in June 1534. The book was called "Verdadera Relación de la conquista del Perú," which means "True Account of the Conquest of Peru."
Later Life
Back in Seville, Xerez faced some challenges. He tried various businesses, but they were not successful, and he lost his money. By the late 1540s, his situation became even harder. He even changed his name to Francisco López de Xerez. Not much is known about Xerez's life after this time. Some historians believe he eventually returned to Peru with his family and lived there until he died.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco de Jerez para niños
